Geum plant named ‘MACGEU004’

ABSTRACT

‘MACGEU004’ is a new and distinctive variety of  Geum  hybrid plant which is characterized by a large plant size, large dark green leaves, and tall inflorescences bearing large orange-red flowers. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and tissue culture and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Geum hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Geum hybrid disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘MACGEU004’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2019/2733, filed Oct. 28, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘MACGEU004’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by the inventors at their commercial nursery in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, in June of 2010. The inventors performed a controlled cross-pollination of the emasculated seed parent, Geum chiloense ‘Red Dragon’ (unpatented), with an unnamed Geum hybrid plant (unpatented), the pollen parent. Said pollination was performed in an insect proof environment. Seed from said cross was harvested, then germinated, and the resulting seedlings were then grown to a mature size in a protected poly tunnel greenhouse. In June of 2012, the inventors selected the new Geum cultivar for its unique flower and bloom characteristics. This new and distinctive cultivar was given the name ‘MACGEU004’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘MACGEU004’ was first accomplished in June of 2012 by way of vegetative division and subsequently by way of meristematic tissue culture micro propagation at a laboratory in Rijswijk, the Netherlands. Successive generations have shown that the unique features of the instant cultivar are stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MACGEU004’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Geum cultivar, ‘MACGEU004’.

-   -   1. Geum ‘MACGEU004’ exhibits a large plant size; and     -   2. Geum ‘MACGEU004’ exhibits large, dark green foliage; and     -   3. Geum ‘MACGEU004’ exhibits cyme inflorescences borne on long         peduncles; and     -   4. Geum ‘MACGEU004’ exhibits large orange-red semi-double         flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage and growth characteristics of the new cultivar, ‘MACGEU004’. The plant shown is approximately 4.5 month old, potted into a 3 liter nursery pot, grown outdoors in Kirkcudbright, Scotland at a commercial nursery.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of the plant in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical flower of the plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Geum known as ‘MACGEU004’, based upon observations of 4.5 month old plants grown outdoors in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Plants were grown with full sun to partial shade exposure and subsisted on natural rainfall with supplemental irrigation provided during periods of dry weather. Plants were grown in a nutrient-rich compost but were otherwise not given any supplemental fertilizer. No chemical pest treatments were given to the plants. Observation data was recorded in May of 2020.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘MACGEU004’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such measurements are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

A botanical description of ‘MACGEU004’ and comparisons with the parents and most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial with no lateral             branching, flowering stems arising from the base, and             inflorescence held above the foliar plane.         -   Plant profile.—Globular.         -   Height.—29.9 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 53.8 cm to             the top of the floral plane.         -   Spread.—66.0 cm.         -   Plant vigor.—Highly vigorous.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Propagation.—Method — Meristematic tissue culture. Time to             initiate rooting — 12 days at an average ambient temperature             of 22 degrees Celsius. Time to produce flowering plant from             rooted cutting — Approximately 4 months in a 15 cm             container; 6 months in a 17 cm container.         -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less             susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect Geum.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 5             to 9 and temperatures ranging from minus 25 degrees Celsius             to 35 degrees Celsius; low to moderate tolerance to rain;             moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system: Thin, fibrous, and freely branched. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basally branched; moderately free             branching.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—15.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Attitude.—Average angle of 40 degrees from vertical; stems             vary from between 0 to 80 degrees from vertical.         -   Aspect.—Rounded.         -   Length.—40.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.         -   Internode length.—9.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Densely pubescent; hairs are soft, white RHS N155A,             and 1.0 mm long, on average.         -   Luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 177A.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves are borne both basally and on stems; on             stems, arrangement is alternate.         -   Basal leaves.—Attachment — Petiolate. Division — Simple.             Leaf shape — Lyrate. Dimensions — 24.7 cm long, including             petiole, and 12.6 cm in width, on average. Leaf attitude —             Leaves in an average angle of 50 degrees to the stem. Leaf             apex — Abruptly acute. Leaf base — Straight to truncate.             Leaf margin — Biserrate. Texture, adaxial and abaxial             surfaces — Smooth, pubescent. Pubescence, adaxial and             abaxial surfaces — Soft, appressed to strigose hairs with an             average length of 0.1 cm; colored a translucent white,             nearest to RHS N155A. Luster, adaxial surface — Slightly             glossy. Luster, abaxial surface — Matte. Color — Juvenile             foliage color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143B.             Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 146C. Mature leaf color, adaxial surface —             Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Mature leaf color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. Venation — Type             — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to             RHS NN137A. Vein color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144C. Petiole — Length — 16.0 cm. Diameter —             Average of 0.3 cm. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture,             adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Densely covered with soft             hairs; average length of hairs is 0.1 cm; colored white, RHS             N155A. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Slightly             glossy. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 144B. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 144B. Stipules — None present.         -   Leaves borne on the stems.—Quantity — Approximately 12             leaves per stem. Attachment — Petiolate. Division — Simple.             Leaf shape — Trilobate; lobes are cleft to deeply cleft.             Lobes — Depth of sinuses — Deep. Sinus orientation —             Divergent. Dimensions — 9.3 cm long, including petiole, and             7.6 cm in width, on average. Leaf attitude — Leaves in an             average angle of 50 degrees to the stem. Leaf apex — Narrow             acute. Leaf base — Acute. Leaf margin — Serrate. Texture,             adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth, pubescent.             Pubescence, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Soft, appressed             to strigose hairs with an average length of 0.1 cm; colored             a translucent white, nearest to RHS N155A. Luster, adaxial             surface — Slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface — Matte.             Color — Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface — Green,             nearest to RHS 143B. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface             — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Mature leaf color,             adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Mature leaf             color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B.             Venation — Type — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface —             Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Vein color, abaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144C. Petiole — Length —             1.3 cm. Diameter — 0.3 cm. Strength — Moderately strong.             Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Densely covered with             soft hairs; average length of hairs is 0.1 cm; colored             white, RHS N155A. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces —             Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144B. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144B. Stipules — General — Two leafy stipules             present at the base of each leaf. Shape — Obovate. Length —             3.8 cm. Diameter — 2.1 cm. Apex — Narrow acute. Base —             Cuneate. Margins — Incised. Texture, adaxial and abaxial             surfaces — Densely covered with soft hairs; average length             of hairs is 0.1 cm; colored white, RHS N155A. Luster,             adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Slightly glossy. Color,             adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B. Color,             abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Habit.—Compound cyme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Spring into summer in             Kirkcudbright, Scotland.         -   Time to flower or response time.—Approximately 9 months.         -   Dimensions.—22.3 cm high, including peduncle, and 17.9 cm in             diameter.         -   Quantity of inflorescence per plant.—5, on average.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—2, on average.         -   Quantity of flowers per plant.—10, on average.         -   Quantity of flower buds per plant.—80, on average.         -   Quantity of flowers and flower buds per plant.—90, on             average.         -   Peduncles.—Length — Average of 19.6 cm. Diameter — Average             of 0.4 cm. Angle — Average angle to stem is 33 degrees.             Strength — Moderately strong to strong. Texture — Smooth and             densely pubescent; hairs are soft with an average length of             0.1 cm; colored white, nearest to RHS 155A. Luster —             Slightly glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A,             with the upper side suffused with greyed-orange, RHS 166A. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Shape.—Deltoid.         -   Length.—1.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth and densely pubescent; hairs are soft with             an average length of 0.1 cm; colored white, nearest to RHS             N155A.         -   Luster.—Very slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Greyed-orange, nearest to a mixture of RHS 176A and             177A; the shaded side not exposed to sunlight is             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. -   Flower:     -   -   Shape, type.—Rotate; semi-double.         -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outward.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately ten days.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.         -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.         -   Diameter.—5.9 cm.         -   Depth.—3.0 cm.         -   Pedicels.—Length — 5.8 cm. Diameter — 0.2 cm. Angle —             Average angle to peduncle is approximately 35 degrees.             Strength — Moderately strong. Texture — Smooth and densely             pubescent; hairs are soft with an average length of 0.1 cm;             colored white, nearest to RHS 155A. Luster — Slightly             glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A, with the             upper side suffused with greyed-orange, RHS 166A.         -   Calyx.—Shape — Rotate. Length — 1.6 cm. Diameter — 2.4 cm.             Sepals — Arrangement — Rotate; one whorl of sepals which             alternate between broad sepals and narrow sepals. Quantity —             10 unfused sepals; 5 broad sepals and 5 narrow sepals. Broad             sepals — Shape — Deltoid. Dimensions — 1.6 cm long and 0.8             cm wide. Apex — Acute. Base — Straight. Sepal reflex —             Strongly reflexed. Margin — Entire. Texture and luster,             upper surface — Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy.             Texture and luster, lower surface — Smooth, moderately             covered with soft strigose hairs, and slightly glossy; hairs             are approximately 0.05 cm long and colored white, nearest to             RHS N155A. Color — When opening, upper surface — Green,             nearest to RHS 143B. When opening, lower surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147C. Fully opened, upper             surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143B, and very lightly             suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166A. Fully             opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C.             Narrow sepals — Shape — Lanceolate. Dimensions — 0.5 cm long             and 0.125 cm wide. Apex — Acute. Base — Attenuate. Sepal             reflex — Slightly reflexed. Margin — Entire. Texture and             luster, upper surface — Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly             glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface — Smooth,             moderately covered with soft strigose hairs, and slightly             glossy; hairs are approximately 0.05 cm long and colored             white, nearest to RHS N155A. Color — When opening, upper             surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143B. When opening, lower             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147C. Fully opened,             upper surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143B, and very lightly             suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166A. Fully             opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C.         -   Petals.—Quantity — 13, on average; varying from 6 to 20             petals. Arrangement — Rotate; arranged in three whorls of             unfused petals. Length — 2.5 cm. Width — 2.9 cm. Shape —             Reniform. Apex — Broad emarginate. Base — Broad attenuate.             Margin — Entire; moderately to highly undulate. Texture,             upper surface — Glabrous, moderately velvety and matte.             Texture, lower surface — Glabrous, very slightly rugose, and             very slightly glossy. Petal color — When opening, upper             surface — Orange-red, nearest to RHS 32A, and fading darker             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 34A. When opening, lower             surface — Orange-red, nearest to RHS 34C, and becoming red             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 39A. Fully opened, upper             surface — Orange-red, nearest to RHS 32A, and fading darker             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 34A. Fully opened, lower             surface — Orange-red, nearest to RHS 34C, and becoming red             towards the apex, nearest to RHS 39A. When faded, upper             surface —0 Orange-red, nearest to RHS N34B, and fading             lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS N30B. When faded,             upper surface — Orange-red, nearest to RHS 31B, and fading             darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS N34D. Petal venation             color — Fully opened, upper surface — Orange-red, nearest to             RHS 32A, and fading darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS             34A. Fully opened, lower surface — Orange-red; nearest to             RHS N34C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamens — Quantity — Approximately 100. Anthers             — Attachment — Dorsifixed. Shape — Oblong. Dimensions — 0.1             cm long and 0.03 cm wide. Color — Yellow-orange, nearest to             RHS 22A. Filaments — Length — 0.4 cm. Color — Yellow-orange,             nearest to RHS 20B. Amount of Pollen — Sparse. Pollen color             — Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 22A.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil — Quantity — 160, on average. Length —             0.4 cm. Style — Length — 0.45 cm. Color — Orange, RHS 24A,             and fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 24C.             Stigma — Shape — Cleft; two-parted. Length — 0.05 cm.             Diameter — 0.05 cm. Color — Red, RHS 53A. Ovary Color —             Green, RHS 138A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MACGEU004’ differ from its seed parent, Geum chiloense ‘Red Dragon’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MACGEU004’ ‘Red Dragon’ Plant vigor. More vigorous than ‘Red Less vigorous than Dragon’. ‘MACGE004’. General coloration of Orange-red. Dark red. the flower. Bloom period. Longer than ‘Red Dragon’. Shorter than ‘MACGE004’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MACGEU004’ may be distinguished from its pollen parent, an unnamed Geum hybrid plant (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.l

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘MACGEU004’ The pollen parent Plant height. Taller than the pollen Shorter than parent. ‘MACGEU004’. General coloration of the Orange-red. Red. flower. Bloom period. Longer than the pollen Shorter than parent. ‘MACGE004’.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MACGEU004’ may be distinguished from the most similar known commercial comparator, Geum ‘MACGEU001’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,476), by the characteristics described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Character- istic ‘MACGEU004’ ‘MACGEU001’ Plant size. Larger than ‘MACGEU001’. Smaller than ‘MACGEU004’. Foliage Larger than ‘MACGEU001’. Smaller than ‘MACGEU004’. size. General A darker shade of green A lighter shade of green coloration compared to ‘MACGEU001’. compared to ‘MACGEU004’. of the mature foliage, Flower Larger than ‘MACGEU001’. Smaller than ‘MACGEU004’. size. General Orange-red, generally Orange-red, generally coloration appearing more towards an appearing more towards a of the orange coloration by red coloration by flower, comparison to comparison to ‘MACGEU001’. ‘MACGEU004’. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geum hybrid plant named ‘MACGEU004’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 